Greenwich's Foote named CHSCA Lacrosse Player of the Year

David Fierro

Updated 10:08 pm, Friday, June 20, 2014

Kyle Foote of Greenwich during the Class L boys high school lacrosse quarterfinal match between Fairfield Prep and Greenwich High School at Greenwich, Saturday, June 7, 2014. Foote who was injured during the FCIAC Championship game did not play but Greenwich won the match, 9-8, advancing to the semi-final.

At left, Kyle Foote (#3) of Greenwich, shoots while being defended by Bronxville's Charlie Tarry (#19) during the high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Bronxville High School at Greenwich, Thursday night, May 8, 2014.
Photo: Bob Luckey

At right, Kyle Foote of Greenwich shoots as Fairfield Warde goalie Jason Nerreau defends on a shot that went high during the FCIAC boys high school lacrosse quarterfinal match between Greenwich High School and Fairfield Warde High School at Greenwich, Friday night, May 23, 2014.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Kyle Foote (#3) of Greenwich shoots and scores as Fairfield Warde defender Greg Adams (#6) pursues during the FCIAC boys high school lacrosse quarterfinal match between Greenwich High School and Fairfield Warde High School at Greenwich, Friday night, May 23, 2014.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Kyle Foote (#3) of Greenwich scores the first goal of the game during the high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Danbury High School at Greenwich, Wednesday, April 9, 2014. Greenwich won the match, 19-3.
Photo: Bob Luckey

At left, Kyle Foote of Greenwich on the attack during the high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Wilton High School at Greenwich, Thursday night, April 17, 2014. Greenwich defeated Wilton,18-7.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Greenwich High School lacrosse player Kyle Foote during practice at...

Greenwich High School teammates, Decker Curran (#41), left, and Kyle Foote (#3), celebrate a Foote goal during the boys high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Danbury High School at Greenwich, Wednesday, April 9, 2014. Greenwich won the match, 19-3.

More Information

KYLE FOOTEPosition: MidfieldHeight: 6-foot-32014 Statistics: 28 goals, 25 assistsCollege: Loyola (Md.)Postseason Awards: CHSCA Lacrosse Player of the Year, CHSCA All-American, First-Team All-FCIAC, First-Team Class LQuoteable: "I'm not sure anyone puts more into his craft than he does. His improvement over the years is a testament to how hard he works. He can shoot righty, lefty, is a great passer and can also play defense. That's why the coaches selected him as the player of the year, because he can do anything out there." -- Scott Bulkley, Greenwich High coach

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A torn Achilles' tendon in the FCIAC finals prevented Greenwich High School standout Kyle Foote from playing in the Class L Tournament, but it sure didn't keep him from continuing his role as the Cardinals' emotional leader.

Sitting at the scorer's table with his leg propped up, Foote still played an active role in the Cardinals' quest for their first state title -- a goal they reached with a 13-10 win over Staples in the Class L championship game. Whether it was giving advice to his teammates from the sideline during each postseason game or studying film, the injured Foote, as always, was there for his squad.

"Despite being injured during the state tournament, Kyle never got down, he stayed positive," Greenwich coach Scott Bulkley said. "He was one of our captains for a reason and he went above and beyond what his leadership role calls for. He was still helping the team by watching game film and pointing out things he noticed to the coaching staff."

"After he got hurt, the doctors told him to stay away from the sideline for two weeks, but he was right back there with us the next game," added Cardinals junior Decker Curran, one of Foote's closest friends. "He was there yelling at us and inspiring us to get going."

While the Cardinals were aware of Foote's importance off the field, their opponents certainly knew how potent he was on the field. The 6-foot-3 senior midfielder registered 28 goals and 25 assists in 19 games, earning him a spot on the 2014 Connecticut US Lacrosse All-American Team and the honor of being chosen by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association as the Lacrosse Player of the Year.

"I was in shock when I found out about it," said Foote, who received the good news the day after GHS captured the state championship. "It's an honor and I have to thank a lot of people -- my coaches, teammates and parents -- they have all played a huge part in this award."

Foote, who will continue his lacrosse career at Loyola University, was a four-year varsity player for the Cards, quickly getting significant minutes his first season on the squad.

"I'm not sure anyone puts more into his craft than he does," Bulkley said of Foote. "His improvement over the years is a testament to how hard he works. He can shoot righty, lefty, is a great passer and can also play defense. That's why the coaches selected him as the player of the year, because he can do anything out there."

"Its' been tremendous to watch the young man that he has grown into," Bulkley said. "He knows what it takes to become a good player, how to treat his teammates and how to motivate his teammates. He's the real deal and was one of the most well-liked kids on the team for a reason."

Also an All-State, All-FCIAC selection, Foote isn't the only member of his family to star for the Cardinals. His older brother, Eric, played for Bulkley at GHS and recently concluded his sophomore season at Colgate.

"Eric is a lefty and I am a righty and growing up we spent a lot of time practicing with each other and shooting together," Foote said. "I started playing lacrosse when I was in first grade and I learned a lot from him. He is always challenging me. We'll be playing against each other in the Patriot League, which will be a lot of fun."

Foote, who graduated from GHS on Thursday, also honed his skills as a kid with Curran.

"We both live right down the street from Greenwich Academy and we've been lucky enough to practice there," Foote said. "They leave the goals out on the field in back, so we go there to work on our shooting."

As youngsters, Foote and Curran set the bar high.

"When we were in fifth grade I remember us talking about some day playing Division I lacrosse," said Curran, who has committed to Michigan. "We talked about us playing on the same line at Greenwich as well, so achieving those goals together has been great."

Darien coach Jeff Brameier, who guided the Blue Wave to the FCIAC and Class M titles while going undefeated, knows how difficult an assignment it is to defend Foote.

"He has an uncanny ability to get his hands free and he has an explosive hitch and split move," Brameier said. "He gains separation from people and gets to where he wants to go. Even when you're trying to force him to his left hand, he works back to his strong hand and has one of the best shots in the state. Kyle also has tremendous dodging ability, which helps lead to a great shooting ability and he became a great assist guy as well.

"He's fast, athletic and I think he became the inspirational leader for his team. I was so happy for him to get the award."

The Cardinals' star midfielder pointed to a crucial stretch midway through the season that served as one of the turning points of the team's season.

"When you beat teams like Bronxville, Chaminade and New Canaan like we did it says a lot about your team," Foote said. "Then we kept our momentum going and carried it into the state tournament."

After playing for Bulkley and the Cardinals' coaching staff, Foote knows he's prepared to compete at the collegiate level.

"Coach Bulkley comes in prepared and excited for each game no matter who we play and expects a lot from his players," Foote said. "He is demanding, but gives you confidence the confidence you need to reach your potential."

Foote, who underwent surgery on his Achilles tendon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, said he can begin his rehabilitation in August. He spoke to his Cardinals teammates shortly after sustaining the injury against Darien.

"I told them straight up that I wasn't going to be playing and we had a long conversation about how we wanted the season to end," said Foote, who was also a forward on Greenwich's basketball team, which appeared in the FCIAC finals and Class LL semifinals. "I knew we had a ton of talent without me and that we could be just as good. They all made me very proud, it was really nice to see them put it together and win the title. I even had the same excitement I had all year, even without playing in the championship game."